Wind Energy

For over 2000 years humans have been using wind-powered machines. In 1887 the first windmill used to generate electricity was built in Scotland by a professor at Anderson’s College. Since then, wind technology has come a long way. In modern times you can see wind turbines that sit at a height of about 328 feet tall in wind farms consisting of anywhere from 20 to 100 wind turbines. Of course with the sheer number of wind turbines in each wind farm, there is going to be concerns on the impact that they make. One concern lies with the production of the wind turbines themselves. Although the production uses electricity that is backed by coal and oil based electricity, once enough wind mills are produced, they will be able to sustain enough energy to provide electricity for their own manufacturing and maintenance. Another concern is the most obvious one, funding. A majority of the funding for wind-based technology comes from investors and energy companies. Investors usually become interested in funding these types of projects on their own volition but some begin investing because of tax incentives and tax rebate programs in

place for the investors, which can encourage investors to continue their investments. Some other concerns are with the impact on bird and bat populations, visual obstruction, noise, and the small amount of oils and fluids used to maintain and keep the turbines working effectively. The issue with birds and bats colliding with the turbines has been a problem in recent years and the wind industry has responded by putting a lot of research into the habits and behavior of the animals to try and minimize any mass casualties. Both the noise and the visual obstruction issues have been addressed by instituting better insulation measures to reduce noise as well as having fewer, more efficient

models in circulation then previous models. To operate to the turbine’s fullest power, ideal conditions where wind turbines should be placed is somewhere with open space and little to no obstructions, so wind farms in the dessert or on grassy plains are common, and somewhere with a better chance of windy conditions.

Three blades, each about 116 feet tall each, are turned by the wind. The blades turn a shaft inside which is connected to a series of gears, which generates more revolutions per minute, these gears spin a generator to create electricity. The energy generated by wind turbines is moved and stored like other current forms of energy. The electricity is sent from the point of origin, an industrial-scale wind farm, small wind farm, or any individual wind turbine, to a transmission grid and then to a substation near a populated area. One of the only issues with the transmission of energy produced by wind turbines is the lack of transmission facilities in areas where wind farms would be most beneficial. In the western Great Plains a requirement for transmission facilities to

connect wind facilities to the existing electrical system is needed. This could also require upgrading some existing electrical transmission facilities to allow for the connection that is required. There

could also be a need for the construction of roads for maintenance purposes and electric transmission facility operation and construction. Even though there is still a long way to go for wind energy, no one can deny the potential for this alternative resource. The global total for installed wind capacity was measured at more than 318,000 megawatts. Last year 25% of Iowa and South Dakota's energy was produced by wind energy. The national average is around 4% even though the U.S. Department of Energy estimated that 20% of the United States electrical needs could be provided for by the wind industry.